What this change means
It enters the left side of the belly and reaches the heart of the wounded light, then leaves by the courtyard gate. When the fourth line moves, Earth above turns to Thunder, and the darkness is suddenly understood from inside. You're allowed to see what's really causing the hard situations you face. That insight is a chance to act quickly and withdraw to safe ground before adversity takes full control. The resulting hexagram, 55 Abundance, suggests that, once you're out, you can grow toward a period of fullness and satisfaction. It won't last forever, and when it wanes you're asked to stay calm and keep enjoying what you've achieved. So don't linger once you understand the situation. Watch for staying out of curiosity or pride; knowing the cause is the signal to leave.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 4 of 36 Darkness
You'll be allowed to see the causes of the hard situations you're facing. This will help you act quickly and withdraw to safe ground before adversity takes complete control.
It enters the left side of the belly; it reaches the heart of the wounded light and goes out through the courtyard gate.
- The judgment of 36 Darkness
It's a dark time: circumstances force you to live alongside the wrong people. If you know how to protect yourself, hold on to your integrity, and go unnoticed, without openly showing your light and your talents, you'll stay safe until better times come. However hard they seem, hard times pass too.
Constancy in hardship is favorable.
- The judgment of 55 Abundance
You're growing toward a period of satisfaction and abundance. It will last for a while, and when it ends, stay calm, without sadness or worry. Enjoy it while it lasts, and when it wanes, keep your spirits up and enjoy what you've achieved.
Success. The king reaches it. Do not grieve: the noonday sun is fitting.
The trigrams
The way back
55 Abundance → 36 Darknessline 4
Other transformations of Darkness
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.